Sierra continued, “Their wolves taught them what they could in wolf form. Mel taught us all though. You put out videos and she made us all watch them. People look to her because she’s smart. Because she’s fierce. We get attacked by power hungry Alpha’s and their Warriors.”
“If not for her, a lot of pack members in Black Path would’ve died. The first attack when she was there….” Phil interrupted, “So, when she was fourteen.” Sierra nodded, “Yes, she saved fifteen pups. She killed six Warriors from that attacking pack by herself. Some people don’t like her, but when shit hits the fan she’s who they want heading towards the danger to save them.”
I snarled, “I have so many things to say. One being, you don’t seem to be aware it would physically hurt her as a Beta blood to be in charge.” She jolted, “No it doesn’t.” Phil hummed, “Yes, it would.” She frowned. I added, “Second, she shouldn’t be doing that alone.”
Sierra raised an eyebrow replying, “She’s not alone now nor was she then. Mason and Hendrick fought with her. They got to her first and she was impressed by them. She was spitting mad when she found out they weren’t Warriors because they were gay. She dressed Alpha Edward down REAL good stating laws he was breaking. It was hilarious.”
I questioned, “You don’t call him Edward?” Sierra’s lips twitched, “No, we aren’t exactly close.” Phil commented, “That’s unusual.” Sierra shrugged, “I didn’t know that until Melanie told me that. None of us did.” Phil and I locked eyes knowing this was not good.
I sighed, “We can’t ignore Nashville anymore. This all means we need to do a deep dive.” Sierra laughed, “No you don’t. You can simply save yourself the time and talk to Mel about it. If you want to go to a pack you suspect is like ours, take her with you. She’s the champion of the neglected packs.”
“Not just ours and not just in Nashville either. She has a way with words. When you hear a true Melanie speech, prepare to be amazed. She’s inspiring. She makes you feel like you can make a difference.”
I raised an eyebrow asking, “There are other packs like yours? In taters and ruins?” Sierra tilted her head questioning, “How could you know that?” I didn’t bother to answer. Sierra laughed, “When I told you her name was Ashley Griffen, you sent someone to our pack. No, you sent a magical someone.”
Phil answered, “Yes, he did. Why hasn’t Alpha Theo reported the state of your pack? He’s been in Ashley’s house.” Sierra answered, “Alpha Theo has not seen its true state. He’s a good man, which you know. He wouldn’t have let that go. Ashley’s house isn’t in tatters because she makes money to make it nicer. To have repairs done. Mason and Hendrick make money too with their diner.
“Until Ashley came, they only got one percent of the money they made. Alpha Edward, my dad, and the Gamma took it. Alpha Theo would never let that go.” She was right. He wouldn’t. He would’ve told my dad, and my dad would’ve been pissed as all get out if he’d seen the pictures I’d seen.
Sierra added, “Also, there are a lot of packs like ours. They do a good job of staying off your radar. Or crying to the Supernatural Council when you come around. They do things you don’t like so you avoid them because they don’t want you being suspicious of them. There’s a reason for that.”
I linked Phil, “So, my mate is looked to as a protector, basically an Alpha, BY MULTIPLE PACKS?!” He said, “I’m getting that sense.” Oden growled, “She’s not meant for that role without us by her side. It would hurt her, and I don’t like that.” She was going against the blood in her veins in many ways, but not looking to Alpha’s to have the final word on a decision would be the biggest one.
Phil commented out loud, “It’s more than the pack being in tatters then. That’s what you’re implying. Son of bitch! Are packs really involved with the drugs?” Sierra muttered, “That’s kind of the tip of the iceberg, mate of mine. That’s all I can really say. Look into them and look hard.”
“There are things lurking beneath the surface. Melanie faced all those things head on and never looked back. She walked into the chaos and demanded better for people. She’s inspiring. She’s always had a natural leadership quality. I was stunned that she didn’t have a wolf. Addison, me, Dax, Caine, Hendrick, and Mason all thought her wretched aunt did something to her.” I growled.
Seirra added, “We were all sent away at the last minute before her birthday for a reason. Buck was ordered not to stay after delivering that message, under an Alpha Command, for a reason. It can’t be because they thought she might not shift like they said. She remembers being in pain.”
She flinched saying, “Now I know it’s because she was supposed to shift. Wolf less pack members that I know were never in pain. Her life changed that night and, to be honest, she’s very strange if you mention the night wolves went down. She’s confused, disoriented, and has no idea what we mean when we say it. She even had a seizure the first time someone told her about it.” The fuck?!
She admitted, “The second time it was during a workshop we were putting on. We had to put it in the contracts that people can’t mention it. She became very agitated to such a degree we had to make sure people don’t mention it near her. She even started to convulse before Caine got a handle on the situation. Since you two locked eyes it’s been different for her.”
“Around you, Alexander, she’s the girl I met with bright and hopeful eyes. She’s happy. So, I need you to look me in the eye and tell me you won't let people take her from you or pressure you into giving her up. She’s one of my best friends. I have to know you’re not going to break her heart because someone doesn’t like her. You said she’s your life so that implies you wouldn’t, but Ineedyou to say it.”
I snorted, “I am an Alpha Enforcer, Duke and Squadron Leader of the Hackura and a Duke to Faerie. No one is going to pressure me into shit. I’m not giving her up. I don’t give a shit if a goddess or god themself tells me to.”
Sierra snorted, “Yeah well, where I’m from we believe Selene’s a big enough bitch to do just that.” I raised an eyebrow while Phil’s jaw dropped. Sierra shrugged, “What? That bitch has never done a damn thing for me or my friends. There’s a large group of us she turned her back on. Why shouldn’t we do the same?”
Oden hummed, “Ummm. I’m at a loss but Tori feels the same way.” Yeah, I was with him. No, I was more befuddled that her WOLF felt the same as she did. Sierra added, “Melanie hates Selene by the way. With a fiery burning passion.”
Oden said, “I mean, a Beta blood thinking they got denied a wolf makes that understandable.” Since it was impossible, it did. I was ready to say they were correct since Selene allowed something to happen to Freya. That was something as a goddess she never should’ve allowed.
I sighed, “Can we get any specifics on what to look into with the packs we need to?” She hummed. I questioned, “Are you all in the Resistance?” Sierra smiled before coyly replying, “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I snorted, “Sure.”
Phil linked, “Yes, I usually smile and answer vaguely when I don’t know what people are talking about.” I retorted, “Hence my sarcastic sure, Phil.” He said, “I know but it was worth saying.” I replied, “Then someone lied to them all. Because there is no way Sierra knows Melanie’s family is alive.” He inclined his head agreeing with me.
I picked Melanie up off the ground. I told Phil, “I’m not sure what tomorrow looks like after this.” I linked him, “If you manage a discussion about this later, get me some answers. This is shaping up to be a VERY ominous conversation I’ll be having with my mate. I don’t want them back there in that pack. Find a way for me to not let that happen.”
Phil replied, “Hear me out, because I’ve already thought about that. We open a portal and push them into the Hackura realm. Bam! Problem solved.” I glared at him. He shrugged, “It would work. They can’t open a portal or pop.”
I shot back, “I don’t want either of our mates to be pissed off at us.” Phil hummed, “That was not in the original stipulation. You’re making me get more creative because if they say no then that’s all we’ve got. Shoving them through means they can’t leave.” I rolled my eyes without replying.
I popped to our room and held Melanie tightly. I snapped off my shirt and pants leaving me in my underwear. I put her on the bed, joining her and pulling her close. I vowed, “No one will take you from me, Melanie Jane. Anyone who tries will die. You’re mine for our very long lives. You’re my everything. You’ve owned my heart for a very long time now. Anyone who hurt you is dead. Black Path, except your friends, are dead. I will wipe them out.”
“If the Supernatural Council did this to you, they will die at my hands. I will fight beside you now because you are not alone. Nor will you ever be again. You are mine and I am yours. I’m going to bring you home and to my side, where you have always belonged. With my family and our allies behind us, we will bring this whole thing down. You and me.”
I snarled, “Whoever told you I’d reject you will know severe pain. They stopped you from coming to me. I know they did. Maybe not physically, but with scare tactics that are reprehensible. You should’ve been with me at least for the last two years. I should’ve protected you and I failed. It won’t happen again. I’m here now. Nothing will hurt you again.” I held her tightly knowing she didn’t hear any of what I said.
